Method and apparatus for inspecting articles of glassware

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10/733,006 filedDec. 11, 2003, which is a division of application Ser. No. 10/395,907filed Mar. 24, 2003 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,890, which is a divisionof application Ser. No. 09/679,584 filed Oct. 4, 2000, now U.S. Pat.6,581,751.

The present invention is directed to inspection of glassware articlessuch as glass containers, and more particularly to a method andapparatus for conveying articles of glassware through a series ofinspection stations.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the manufacture of glassware, such as glass containers, variousanomalies or variations can occur that affect commercial acceptabilityof the containers. These anomalies, termed “commercial variations,” caninvolve dimensional characteristics of the container such as at thecontainer finish, surface characteristics that can affect acceptableoperation of the container such as surface variations at the containersealing surface, or variations such as stones or checks within thecontainer finish, sidewall or bottom. It is also conventional practiceto mold indicia on each container indicative of the mold of origin ofthe container for inspection and quality control purposes. U.S. Pat. No.4,378,493 illustrates a starwheel-type conveyor for accepting containersin sequence from an infeed conveyor and transporting the containersthrough a series of inspection stations. At at least some of theinspection stations, the container is held in position and rotated aboutits central axis while being electro-optically inspected for commercialvariations and/or mold code. The term “inspection” is used in itsbroadest sense to encompass any optical, electro-optical, mechanical orelectrical observation or engagement with the container to measure ordetermine a potentially variable characteristic, including but notnecessarily limited to mold codes and commercial variations.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand method for indexing articles of glassware such as glass containersthrough a series of stations, such as stations at which the containersare to be inspected for commercial variations and/or reading the mold oforigin of the containers. Among more specific objects of the inventionare to provide such a method and apparatus that are characterized byincreased speed of conveyance and therefore increased throughput throughthe inspection stations, that are versatile and accommodate a widevariety of optical, electro-optical, electrical or mechanical inspectiontechniques at the individual stations, that accommodate an increasednumber of inspection stations, preferably including all necessaryinspections in a single machine, that provide unobstructed view of thecontainer for increased versatility of electro-optical inspection,and/or that accommodate containers of differing diameter and height.

Apparatus for indexing glassware such as containers through a series ofstations, such as electro-optical or mechanical inspection stations, inaccordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the inventionincludes first and second circumferential arrays of alternately opposedglassware gripping fingers mounted on associated first and secondcarriers. The carriers are rotatable on a common axis, with at least oneof the carriers being rotatable with respect to the other for moving thefingers of the associated arrays toward and away from each other to gripand release glassware. The carriers are also rotatable conjointly aboutthe common axis to transport each glassware article through the seriesof stations. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each carrieris coupled to an associated motor for rotation independently withrespect to each other and conjointly with each other about the commonaxis. The first carrier preferably overlies the second carrier and iscoupled to its associated motor by a shaft that extends along the commonaxis. The second carrier preferably is coupled to its associated motorby a sleeve that surrounds the shaft.

Each carrier preferably comprises a central hub coupled to itsassociated motor and a peripheral portion on which the fingers aremounted. The peripheral portion of each carrier preferably includes anannular rim coupled to the associated hub and a plurality of ringsegments removably mounted on the annular rim by quick-release locks.The ring segments have radially outwardly extending legs on which thefingers are mounted, with the legs on the first carrier beinginterdigitally disposed between the legs on the second carrier so thatthe fingers of each pair are angularly spaced from each other. Thefingers of one array are mounted in fixed position on the associatedcarrier, while the fingers of the other array are resiliently biasedtoward the fingers of the one array for accommodating size variationsamong the articles of glassware. A layer of resilient materialpreferably is disposed on the glassware-engaging surface of each fingerfor resiliently engaging the glassware articles while reducing slippageof or damage to the articles.

A drive roller in the preferred embodiment of the invention is disposedfor engaging and rotating an article of glassware at at least one of thestations, and a support pad and support roller are disposed at thestation for supporting the article of glassware during rotation. A pairof angularly spaced back-up rollers are disposed adjacent to the supportpad for holding the article in position while the article is rotated bythe drive roller. The back-up rollers may be mounted for adjustment withrespect to each other and with respect to the axis of rotation of thecarriers for accommodating glassware articles of differing sizes. As analternative, the back-up rollers may be mounted in fixed position on aroller support base, which may be replaceable for accommodatingcontainers of differing diameter. The drive roller is coupled to anassociated electric motor, and preferably is selectively pivotable intoand out of engagement with a glassware article at the associatedstation.

A method of transporting glassware through a series of stations inaccordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the inventioncontemplates providing first and second circumferential arrays ofalternately opposed glassware gripping fingers, moving at least one ofthe arrays toward the other for simultaneously gripping articles ofglassware at the stations, rotating the first and second arrayssimultaneously on a common axis to index glassware between the stations,and then moving at least one of the arrays away from the other torelease the articles of glassware at the stations. The stationspreferably are disposed at equal angular increments around the commonaxis of rotation, and the steps of gripping, rotating and releasing thearticles are repeated incrementally to convey the articles through thestations. An infeed conveyor preferably is located at one of thestations, and an outfeed conveyor is located at another of the stationsfor transporting containers to and from the apparatus of the invention.At at least one of the stations, each article of glassware in turn isinspected for commercial variations or for mold of origin

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with additional objects, features and advantagesthereof, will be best understood from the following description, theappended claims and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an apparatus for indexingglassware through a series of stations in accordance with a presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention with portions removed toillustrate details;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 butwith portions removed to illustrate details;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier drive unit subassembly inthe apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carrier assembly of FIG.3 gripping containers for purposes of transport between stations;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first or upper carrier in the assemblyof FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ring segment subassembly in thecarrier of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a finger assembly in the carrier ofFIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second or lower carrier in thecarrier assembly of FIGS.3 and 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a ring segment subassembly in thecarrier of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a finger assembly in the carrier ofFIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view diametrically bisecting thecarrier assembly of FIGS. 3 and 4 and illustrating interconnection ofthe carriers to the drive motors;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that of FIG. 11 butshowing the drive roller and carrier subassembly frame movably mountedon the support base of the apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the frame and base assembly illustrated inFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary radially exterior perspective view of a rollerdrive motor mounting arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary radially exterior perspective view of theglassware support pads and back-up rollers at two stations of theapparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 16 is a radially interior perspective view of the apparatus asillustrated in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an exterior perspective view of the drive roller mountingarrangement illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is an interior perspective view of the drive roller mountingarrangement illustrated in FIG. 17;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are interior and exterior perspective views of one ofthe drive roller subassemblies in FIGS. 17 and 18;

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of the motor and actuator controlelectronics for the apparatus of FIGS. 1-20;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container engaged bydrive and back-up rollers at one station of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container at aninspection station engaged by drive and back-up rollers;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary perspective view of the container out-feedconveyor in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary elevational view of carrier drive unitillustrating the carriage position sensors; and

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary extension perspective view of a drive rollersubassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The drawings illustrate an apparatus 30 in accordance with a presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention for indexing articles of glassware32, such as glass containers, through a series of stations. Thesestations preferably are spaced at equal angular increments around acommon axis. An infeed conveyor 34, such as an endless belt conveyor,brings containers 32 in sequence to one of the stations. In general,apparatus 30 grips containers 32 as they are presented on infeedconveyor 34, and incrementally transports containers 32 to each stationin turn around the apparatus. At at least some of the stations,containers 32 are held in position and rotated about their axes forinspection or other purposes. The containers 32 are ultimately indexedto an outfeed conveyor 35 (FIGS. 13 and 24), to a cullet or reject chuteor conveyor for removing containers that did not pass inspection, or toa sampling conveyor or other device for sampling containers from aspecific mold, for example. In the preferred implementation of theinvention, the containers are subject to inspection for commercialvariations at at least some of the stations. Such inspection preferablycomprises electro-optical inspection of container dimensional or othercharacteristics, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,682,802 (finish checkdetection), U.S. Pat. No. 3,880,750, U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,195 or EP0961113 (sealing surface inspection), U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,378,493,4,378,495, 4,584,469, 5,233,186, 5,291,271 or 5,637,864 (containersidewall inspection), or EP 0764846 (container bottom inspection).Successive containers can also be inspected to determine or read thecode molded into the container for indicating container mold of origin,as illustrated for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,151. Althoughelectro-optical inspection techniques are currently preferred, theapparatus of the invention can also accommodate mechanical inspectiontechniques, such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,939, in which thecontainer is contacted by one or more rollers or fingers as it isrotated about its axis. Electrical inspection techniques, as illustratedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,258, are also envisioned.

Referring to the drawings, apparatus 30 includes a base 36 (FIGS. 1, 12and 13) of heavy construction. A circumferential array of angularlyspaced support posts 38 are disposed around the periphery of base 36 andextend upwardly therefrom. Each support post terminates at its upper endin a Y-shaped support bracket 40 (FIG. 15) on which a spaced pair ofradially oriented horizontal slides 42 are mounted (FIG. 15). A support44 is mounted on each slide 42, and a slide pad 46 is mounted by abracket 45 at the upper end of each support 44. Posts 38 are distributedaround the periphery of base 36, and Y-bracket 40 is designed such thatslide pads 46 are at equal angular increments around the central axis ofapparatus 30. A roller 47 (FIG. 22) is mounted for rotation about ahorizontal radial axis beneath each pad 46, and has a surface thatextends through a slot in pad 46 for engaging the bottom of a containerand supporting the container for rotation about its axis. A pair of freewheeling rollers 48 are carried on associated slides 50 at the upper endof each support 44 (FIGS. 14-16). Slides 50 are slidably mounted onsupports 44 such that rollers 48 are adjustable with respect to eachother laterally of the axis of apparatus 30. Rollers 48 are disposedabove the plane of pad 46 for providing back-up support to containers 32on pads 46, as will be described. Slides 50 are secured to a rod 52 thatis mounted on pad support bracket 45. Pads 46 are thus at equal angularspacing around the central axis of the apparatus and at identicalvertical elevation. The positions of pads 46 are adjustable radially ofthe apparatus axis by means of slides 42, and rollers 48 are adjustablelaterally to accommodate containers of differing sizes. As analternative, rollers 48 maybe fixedly disposed on a support 44 a (FIG.22), which is itself replaceable for accommodating containers ofdiffering diameter. Y-bracket 40 is mounted on post 38 by a verticaldovetail slide 53 for adjusting vertical positions of pads 46.

A lift frame 54 (FIGS. 1, 12 and 13) is mounted on base 36 and iscoupled to a linear actuator 56 driven by a rotary electric servo motor58 (FIG. 12) for controlled vertical motion of frame 54 with respect tobase 36. A carrier drive unit or subassembly 60 is mounted on lift frame54. Carrier drive unit 60 includes a central support 62 (FIGS. 3, 11 and12) that is mounted on frame 54 (FIG. 12). A first rotary electric servomotor 66 and an associated gearbox 67 are mounted on the underside ofsupport 62, and are coupled to a shaft 68 that extends upwardly throughsupport 62. The axis of rotation of shaft 68 defines the central axis ofcarrier drive unit 60 and apparatus 30. The upper end of shaft 68 iscoupled to a first or upper carrier 70. A second rotary electric servomotor 72 and as associated gearbox 73 are mounted beneath a flange 64 onsupport 62 laterally offset from the axis of shaft 68. A shaft 74extends upwardly from motor 72 and gearbox 73 parallel to shaft 68, andis coupled by a pulley 76 and a cogged timing belt 78 to a pulley 80concentrically surrounding shaft 68. Pulley 80 is secured by clamp rings82 to a sleeve 84 that is mounted by roller bearings 86 for rotationaround shaft 68. The upper end of sleeve 84 is coupled to a second orlower carrier 88. The outer races of roller bearings 86 are secured tosupport 62. Shaft 68 is supported within sleeve 84 by a roller bearing93. Thus, first or upper carrier 70 is rotatable about the axis of shaft68 under control of motor 66 and gearbox 67, while second or lowercarrier 88 is rotatable about the axis of shaft 68 (the central axis ofapparatus 30) under control of motor 72 and gearbox 73 and independentlyof rotation of upper carrier 70.

Upper carrier 70 (FIGS. 4-7) includes a carrier base 73 having a centralhub 75 and an annular rim 77 coupled to hub 75 by a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced radially extending spokes 79. Three ringsegments or subassemblies 83 are secured around the periphery of rim 77,each by a pair of angularly spaced tapered dovetails 81 and a quick-turncam clamp 85. Each ring segment 83 comprises an arcuate base 87 fromwhich a plurality (preferably four) angularly spaced legs 89 extendradially outwardly. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in thedrawings, there are three ring segments 83, each having four radiallyextending legs 89 that are spaced from each other in equal angularincrements both within each segment 83 and among segments 83. Acontainer-gripping finger assembly 91 is secured to the outer end ofeach leg 89. Each assembly 91 comprises an inverted L-shaped finger 90having a vertical leg 92 and a pair of spaced parallel horizontal legs94 interconnected at their outer ends by a bridge 96. Leg 92 is receivedwithin a leg housing 98 and is removably secured within the housing by aspring-loaded lock pin 100. Housing 98 is secured by screws 102 to ringsegment leg 89 (FIGS. 5 and 6) such that finger assembly 90 extendsupwardly therefrom. A layer or coating of resilient elastic materialsuch as polyurethane is provided on the inside surface of each leg 94adjacent to the radially outer end thereof for engaging containerswithout damage to the containers and to enhance frictional gripping ofthe containers, as will be described. In the preferred embodiment,finger legs 92 are non-rotatable within housings 98.

Second or lower carrier 88 (FIGS. 4 and 8-10) includes a base 106 havinga central hub 108 and an annular rim 110 interconnected by a pluralityof radially extending spokes 112. A plurality of ring segments orsubassemblies 114 are mounted around the periphery of rim 110 byangularly spaced tapered dovetails 116 and quick-turn cam clamps 118.Each ring segment 114 includes an arcuate base 120 from which aplurality (preferably four) legs 122 extend radially outwardly. A springfinger assembly 124 is mounted at the outer end of each ring segment leg122. Each spring finger assembly 124 comprises an inverted L-shapedfinger 126 having a vertical leg 128 and a radially outwardly extendinghorizontal leg 130. A resilient elastic layer or coating 132 is providedon the inside surface of each leg 130 adjacent to the outer end thereoffor enhanced frictional gripping of containers without damage to thecontainers, as will be described. Each vertical leg 128 is receivedwithin a housing 134 and non-rotatably removably held within the housingby a spring-loaded lock pin 136. Housing 134 is rotatably mounted on abase 138. Housing 134 and base 138 have opposed arms 140, 142, betweenwhich a coil spring 144 is captured in compression. Coil spring 144 thusbiases finger legs 130 clockwise in FIGS. 4 and 8-10, to accommodatetolerance variations in container diameter.

In assembly, lower carrier 88 is secured to sleeve 84 (FIGS. 11 and 12)such as by fasteners 145 (FIG. 8), and upper carrier 70 is secured toshaft 68 by fasteners 146 (FIGS. 4 and 5) overlying lower carrier 88.The hubs of the respective carriers are secured to sleeve 84 and shaft68 such that finger assemblies 91 of upper carrier 70 and fingerassemblies 124 of lower carrier 88 are interdigitally staggered, as bestseen in FIG. 4. Fingers 90 of upper carrier 70 and fingers 126 of lowercarrier 88 are dimensioned and adjusted such that each horizontal leg130 of a finger 126 is disposed vertically between horizontal legs 94 ofthe opposing finger 90. This promotes stability of containers duringtransport by the carriers. Elastomeric coatings or layers 104, 132 arecircumferentially opposed to each other. The upper and lower carriersthus form a plurality of finger pairs that cooperate with each other, aswill be described, to grip and transport containers under control ofcarrier drive motors 66, 72. These finger pairs are disposed at equalangular increments around the periphery of the carriers. These angularincrements are equal in number to and equal in spacing between thestations defined by container support pads 46 and the infeed, outfeedand cullet stations of apparatus 30.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, 12-14 and 17-18, lift frame 54 includes aperipheral array of support posts 150. A pair of drive roller assemblies152 are mounted on the upper end of at least some of the support posts150. Each drive roller assembly 152 comprises a fixed support bracket154 (FIGS. 17-18) secured by an L- bracket 156 to the upper end ofsupport post 150, and a pivotal support bracket 158 mounted within fixedbracket 154 by a pivot 160. Each fixed bracket 154 is coupled toL-bracket 156 by a dovetail slide 157 and a hand wheel 159 for adjustingthe radial position of roller assembly 152. A linear actuator 162, suchas a voice coil actuator, is mounted between arms 164, 166 of fixedbracket 154 and pivotal bracket 158 respectively. A coil spring 167 isalso captured in compression between bracket arms 164, 166 in parallelwith linear actuator 162. Coil spring 167 thus urges pivotal bracket 158and drive roller 174 into radial engagement with containers 32 at theinspection stations, which spring force must be overcome by actuator162. A rotary electric servo motor 168 is suspended beneath each fixedbracket 154, and is connected by a flexible coupling 170 to a rollerdrive shaft 172. A container drive roller 174 is secured to the upperend of each shaft 172, which is rotatably mounted on pivotal bracket 158by a bearing 176. A pair of circumferentially spaced rollers 180(FIG. 1) are mounted on a fixed support bracket 182 above at least someof the support pads 46 for engaging and radially supporting the neck orfinish of containers 32 as the containers are rotated by drive roller174.

A pair of proximity sensors 200, 202 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 21) are disposed infixed position adjacent to the periphery of lower carrier 88. Sensor 200is responsive to an array of circumferentially spaced fingers or tabs204 (FIG. 25) on lower carrier 88 to define angularly spaced homepositions for lower carrier 88 at each inspection station. Sensor 202 isresponsive to a finger 208 (FIG. 25) on lower carrier 88 to reset themachine controller upon each revolution of lower carrier 88. Sensors200, 202 are mounted in fixed position on a bracket 230 (FIG. 25)secured to central support 62, and thus form part of carrier drive unit60. Thus, the machine control electronics 184 (FIG. 21) tracks positionof lower carrier 88. FIG. 21 illustrates control electronics 184 havingoutputs connected to upper carriage drive motor 66, lower carriage drivemotor 72, drive roller actuators 162, drive roller motors 168 and liftframe motor 58. A switch 185 on base 36 (FIG. 1) is responsive to an arm186 extending from frames 54 to sense that the frame is in the fullylowered position. Proximity sensors 200, 202 also provide input tocontrol electronics 184. An optical sensor 210 (FIG. 26) is mounted oneach drive roller fixed bracket arm 164. A flag 234 is carried at thelower end of each leg 232 for receipt in the associated position sensor210. Each sensor 210 indicates to control electronics 184 whether theassociated drive roller assembly is in the forward position for engaginga container at the associated inspection station, at which theassociated flag 234 is clear of the associated sensor 210, or in theretracted position at which the associated flag engages the associatedsensor.

FIG. 24 illustrates outfeed conveyor 35 in greater detail. A lowerendless belt conveyor 212 and an upper endless belt conveyor 214 aredisposed to engage the lower and upper surfaces of a container 32deposited at the outfeed station by apparatus 30. Conveyors 212, 214rapidly move containers away 32 from the periphery of apparatus 30 to aposition between a pair of laterally opposed endless belt conveyors 216,218. Conveyors 216, 218 convey containers 32 radially outwardly ofapparatus 30 to an endless belt conveyor 220, which transportscontainers 32 for further processing. An air jet or the like may bedisposed adjacent to an edge of conveyor 220 and coupled to controlelectronics 184 (FIG.21) for removing from conveyor 220 any containersthat do not pass inspection. Conveyor 214, which engages the sealingsurface of containers 32 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24, maybe replaced by laterally opposed conveyors that do not engage thecontainer sealing surface where such feature is desired by a customer.Use of an outfeed conveyor 35, such as that illustrated in FIG. 24, ispreferred for rapidly moving containers 32 away from the periphery ofapparatus 30, and thereby facilitating high-speed inspection ofcontainers as on the order of three hundred containers per minute.

In operation, carriers 70, 88 cooperate with each other, under thecontrol of motors 66, 72 and control electronics 184 (FIG. 21) totransport sequential containers 32 from infeed conveyor 34 throughsequential stations to outfeed conveyor 35. The illustrated embodimentof the invention has twelve pairs of fingers 91, 124 carried by thecarriers, and is thus a twelve station apparatus. The first station isat the infeed end of conveyor 34, and the last station would typicallybe at the end of outfeed conveyor 35. The ten remaining stationspreferably are occupied by suitable container inspection devices andsystems, such as those illustrated in the several above-noted patents.These inspection systems are not illustrated in the application drawingsto facilitate understanding of the transport apparatus thatcharacterizes the present invention. In use, one or more of theinspection stations may be empty, or the inspection system at thatstation may be wholly or partially deactivated. Vertical positions offrame 54 and rollers 48 are adjusted as a function of container height.Horizontal positions of rollers 48 and drive roller assemblies 152 areadjusted as a function of container diameter.

Motors 66, 72 coupled to carriers 70, 88 are first actuated by controlelectronics 184 (FIG. 21) to rotate one or both of the carriers towardeach other (i.e., counterclockwise for upper carrier 70 and clockwisefor lower carrier 88) so as to move fingers 90, 126 toward each otherand grip containers 32 at each station between the fingers. In thepresently preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in thedrawings, it has been found to be advantageous to rotate lower carrier88, containing the upstream or leading fingers 124, over a greaterangular dimension than upper carrier 70 carrying the downstream ortrailing fingers 91 when gripping or releasing the containers at theinspection stations. Thus, the angular extent of rotation of thecarriers during gripping and releasing of the containers need not beidentical, and indeed one of the carriers, in this case the carriercontaining the trailing fingers 91, need not be rotated at all. Thetorque applied to carrier 88 is monitored by monitoring current appliedto motor 72. When this torque exceeds a preset level, rotation of thecarrier is terminated. When gripping the containers, fingers 124 pushcontainers 32 against fingers 91. The containers roll along the opposingsurface of fingers 91 until nested in position at the radial extremityof the fingers and gripped by opposing fingers 124. Resilient layers104, 132 on fingers 90, 126 facilitate frictional gripping of thecontainers and reduce damage to the containers. Coil springs 144associated with fingers 126 accommodate tolerance variations among thecontainers.

With the containers gripped between the fingers, carriers 70, 88 aresimultaneously rotated clockwise by motors 66, 72 over an arc of 30° inthe illustrated embodiment of the invention so as to increment thecontainers to the next stations. At least one of the carriers 70, 88 isthen rotated away from the other (i.e., clockwise for carrier 70 andcounterclockwise for carrier 88) under control of motors 66, 72 todeposit the containers at the next stations. The amount of rotation torelease the containers is preset as a function of container diameter. Atthe inspection stations, the containers are released onto slide pads 46.Actuators 162 are then actuated by control electronics 184 to pivotcontainer drive rollers 174 into radial engagement with the outsidesurfaces of the container sidewalls, and motors 168 are actuated torotate rollers 174 and thereby rotate the containers about their centralaxes. Pivoting of the drive rollers into radial engagement with thecontainers pushes the containers into engagement with opposed lowerback-up rollers 48 and upper back-up rollers 180 (FIGS. 22 and 23). Atthis point, the lower end of each container 32 is carried by supportroller 47 at slide pad 46 (FIG. 22) to permit free rotation of thecontainer about its axis. Actuators 162 at drive roller assemblies 152push hard against the container upon initial engagement to rotate thecontainer rapidly up to speed, and then reduce the force of engagementto reduce wear on the drive roller periphery. Actuators 162 then againpush hard on containers 32 rapidly to decelerate rotation of thecontainers after inspection, so that the containers will be stationarywhen the drive roller assemblies are retracted and the containers areagain engaged by the gripping fingers. Coils 162 are thus variablyactuated by control electronics 184 during each inspection cycle. Duringsuch rotation, the containers are supported by back-up rollers 148 andfinish back-up rollers 180 (FIG. 1). As each container is rotated, theinspection apparatus or system at the associated station is activated toinspect the container. At any station at which there is no inspectionequipment or the inspection equipment is deactivated, drive rolleractuator 162 and motor 168 are not energized. After an amount of timeneeded to complete the inspection process at each station, the processis repeated to grip the containers, increment the containers to the nextstations, release the containers and activate the inspection equipment,etc.

There has thus been disclosed an apparatus and method for indexingglassware, such as containers, through a series of stations, such ascontainer inspection stations, that fully satisfy all of the objects andaims previously set forth, both individually and collectively. A numberof modifications and variations have been disclosed. Other modificationsand variations will readily suggest themselves to persons of ordinaryskill in the art. For example, servo ring motors can be used in place ofthe servo motor/gearbox coupling arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 11and 12. The invention is intended to encompass all such modificationsand variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appendedclaims.

1. Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of inspectionstations, which includes: a lift frame disposed on a base and adjustablerelative to the base; and at least one carrier carried by the liftframe, adapted to move articles of glassware to and from the inspectionstations, and adjustable with the lift frame to vary the position ofsaid carrier relative to the inspection stations.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said inspection stations are disposed on said base infixed position relative to said lift frame.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said lift frame includes an actuator that permits adjustment ofthe lift frame.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said actuator isdriven by a servo controlled motor.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 whichalso includes a drive roller at at least one of the inspection stationsfor engaging an article of glassware at said at least one inspectionstation and rotating the article about its axis, said drive roller beingcarried by the lift frame and adjustable with the lift frame.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said lift frame includes a plurality ofinterconnected support posts on which said at least one carrier issupported and an actuator operably associated with the support posts tomove the support posts relative to the base.
 7. Apparatus for inspectingarticles of glassware at a plurality of inspection stations, whichincludes: at least one carrier adapted to move articles of glasswarethrough said inspection stations; a drive roller at at least oneinspection station for selectively engaging an article of glassware atsaid at least one inspection station and rotating the article about itsaxis, the drive roller being moveable toward and away from an article ofglassware at said at least one inspection station; and a sensorresponsive to movement of the driver roller for indicating absence of anarticle of glassware at the station as a function of overtravel of saiddrive roller relative to said at least one inspection station.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein said drive roller is moved by an actuatorand said sensor is coupled to said actuator.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7which also includes a flag responsive to movement of the drive rollerand disposed in communication with the sensor, said flag moving withrespect to the sensor when said drive roller is moved to provide anindication of the position of the drive roller.
 10. A method ofinspecting containers that comprises the steps of: (a) transportingcontainers in increments about a central axis through an arcuate arrayof inspection stations between an in-feed conveyor and an out-feedconveyor, and (b) inspecting the containers at said inspection stationsfor all physical parameters of the containers that affect commercialacceptability of the containers.